Here’s the problem. The idea of focusing on yourself and your happiness has become a negative thing. People who care about themselves and their own happiness and their own minds are known as self-centered and selfish, but this isn’t the case.

Sure, there is a fine line between focusing on yourself and not caring about the world around you, but there is a line nonetheless. We need to abandon the we for the I.

This is kind of an abstract concept that is hard for people to grasp, so I’ll explain it. We, as a school, value sports quite a bit. I, as an individual, don’t really value sports that much. That’s the dumbed down version of it really.

Another more relevant example would be that we as a school appear to value education over mental and even physical health sometimes. I, as an individual, think that it is perfectly fine to take a mental health day, to ask for an extension on an essay you couldn’t write because you were having a bad mental health day, which kind of gets into my point. Focusing on your life and your happiness is not a bad thing. It is perfectly fine for you to not want to spend time with your friends because you need some time alone. You aren’t a bad person for needing some time for yourself.

Another issue surrounding this is that we all have this tendency to follow the crowd. We all like to think that we are all our own person, but really, we all do things or think things because it’s what the majority thinks. And while, yes, it does make life easier to just be a ‘yes man,’ you lose your sense of self when you can’t have your own opinion or your own thought process. It is more important to be your own person and have your own personality and thoughts than to be well liked and to have a big group of friends.

The people who really matter in your life are the ones who will stick with you and like you for who you really are. And, truthfully, you will be happier once to realize that you can be your own person and step away from the crowd and the majority’s thoughts and actions.

Be individual. Be great. In the words of Donna Meagle from “Parks and Rec,” treat yo self.